This category contains the intention-setting ideas from the monthly newsletter.

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Bust the Myths of Suicide

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Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is a public health crisis that affects millions of people worldwide.  Unfortunately, many misconceptions and myths exist around it, which hinder understanding, empathy, and effective prevention.  September is Suicide Prevention Month to help raise awareness of suicide prevention and of actions that can be taken to promote healing, offer help, and give hope.

Below are some intention-setting ideas for busting some of the most common myths:

  1. Ask.   Myth: Talking about suicide will make someone more likely to act on it.  Actually, research findings suggest that people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way and that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.  So, if you are concerned about someone you care about, please consider asking them if they are having suicidal thoughts.
  2. Listen deeply.  Myth: People who talk about suicide are just seeking attention.  The fact is talking about suicide can actually be a critical step in prevention. It opens up communication, provides an opportunity to offer your support, and helps the person feel less isolated and alone.  People who talk about suicide are seeking connection, not attention.  If someone you care about tells you they are thinking about suicide, consider providing support by deepening your connection with them through a compassionate and caring conversation.
  3. Empathize. Myth: Suicide is a result of personal weakness or a lack of willpower.  This is a very harmful stereotype.  Suicidal thoughts are often a result of overwhelming emotional pain and a sense of hopelessness.  People who die by suicide are not weak; they are simply overwhelmed by circumstances they feel unable to cope with.  If someone reaches out to you for support, the most effective intervention you can do is to listen with empathy and be non-judgmental.  The main thing that someone needs in these spaces is to be heard and not judged.
  4. Learn.  Myth: Only people with mental illnesses commit suicide.  Although mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are significant risk factors for suicide, people who experience loss or significant stressors (without a mental health diagnosis) can also be at risk.  Do you know anyone that has experienced one of these significant life events:  unemployment, relationship problems, child abuse, bullying, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain and/or chronic health issue?  Are you aware that all of these are triggers that can activate suicidal thoughts or heighten suicide risk?  To learn more about the risk factors for suicide, consider visiting the National Association of Mental Illness’ website.
  5. Encourage.  Myth: If someone is truly suicidal, there’s nothing you can do to stop them.  People in crisis often feel that their pain will never end.  It’s important to remember that people who are suicidal are often in a state of extreme distress.  They may not be able to think clearly or rationally.  With appropriate help and support, many find that their situation can improve.  Intervention can offer solutions and relief that individuals in crisis may not be able to see at the moment on their own.  It’s important to take any mention of suicide seriously. Consider encouraging your loved ones that might have shared their experience of suicidal thoughts to seek support from a mental health professional to address their underlying pain.  If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help.  Below are some resources:
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:  Call or text 988
  • The Trevor Project:  1-866-488-7386
  • The Jed Foundation

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Living a Long, Healthy Life!

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Since I have been unsuccessful in discovering the fountain of youth, I decided to watch a documentary on blue zones.  It inspired me to share the growing body of evidence that is embodied by the people living in these places.  If you are not familiar with blue zones (and you have Netflix), consider watching Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.  If you prefer, you can read more here, where the research of Dan Buettner, Blue Zones founder, is offered on the original five blue zones he identified:  Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.  These blue zones are regions around the world where people are known to live longer and healthier than the global average.

By adopting specific lifestyle habits, instead of searching for the elusive fountain of youth, individuals can potentially increase their chances of living longer, healthier lives.

Below are some intention-setting ideas drawn from the lived experience of people from these blue zones:

  1. Prioritize plants.   Blue Zone inhabitants typically focus on plant-based foods that are high in nutrients and antioxidants, consuming only small amounts of meat and dairy.  So perhaps consider placing a higher priority on a plant-based diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
  2. Move.  Blue Zone inhabitants rely on daily natural movement instead of intense workouts for ‘physical exercise’.  These activities included walking, gardening, dancing and/or cycling that support maintaining strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.  Think about your one natural movement passion and consider prioritizing it on a daily basis.
  3. Get social.  Blue Zone inhabitants actively cultivate strong social connections and prioritize family and community bonds. To support your overall well-being, perhaps prioritize regularly spending time with loved ones and participating in community activities.
  4. Reduce stress.  Having tools to manage stress is crucial to longevity as much research has shown chronic stress negatively impacts our physical, emotional, and mental health.  Blue Zone inhabitants employed such stress-reducing techniques as meditation, mindfulness, and/or yoga.  Consider exploring different stress reduction tools to discover the one that works best for you and integrate it into a daily practice.
  5. Purpose.  Blue Zone inhabitants displayed enhanced motivation, resilience, and overall life satisfaction that was connected to experiencing a sense of purpose in their lives.  Discovering your purpose is a life-long journey not a destination.  It will evolve over time as you gain new experiences and insights.  So consider seeking meaningful experiences by engaging in activities that challenge and inspire you.  Perhaps you volunteer for causes you care about or pursue hobbies that excite you.  When you notice and pay attention to those moments where you feel most alive and fulfilled, you will discover your purpose!

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Self-Certified Foodies

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National Culinary Arts Month!

Celebrating National Culinary Arts Month can be a delightful experience, whether you’re a food enthusiast, a professional chef, or simply someone who appreciates good food.  Celebrating National Culinary Arts Month is all about indulging your love for food and exploring the rich tapestry of flavors, techniques, and cultures that make up the culinary world. Whether you’re cooking at home, dining out, or learning something new, enjoy the journey through food!

Below are some intention-setting ideas to make the most of this culinary celebration:

  1. Farmers’ Market Tour.   If you are not a regular visitor to your local farmer’s marker, consider visiting one (or several) to discover fresh, seasonal ingredients and chat with vendors about their products..
  2. Try New Recipes.  If you enjoy cooking, perhaps challenge yourself to cook a new dish from a different cuisine or style that you’ve always wanted to try.
  3. Food and Wine Pairing. If you enjoy drinking different types of wine with your meals, consider learning more about food and wine pairing either by experimenting with different combinations at home or attending a tasting event.
  4. Visit Local Restaurants.  If you don’t enjoy cooking or simply want a break from it, perhaps plan to support a local restaurant to explore new flavors or ordering takeout from places known for their culinary excellence.
  5. Volunteer.  Whether you enjoy cooking or not, consider donating your time by volunteering at a local soup kitchen, community center, or food bank.

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Summer Self-Care

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Summer is Upon Us!

Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is the traditional, native approach to physical, mental and emotional health and well-being in India that has been practiced for 5,000 years.  It includes practices such as yoga, meditation, chanting, herbal medicine, and dietary changes.  It is a natural, holistic, preventative approach to illness that is centered around the idea that disease arises from an imbalance or stress in the mind and/or body.  And who doesn’t experience those at least once in a awhile in their lives?

The word “Ayurveda” is derived from Sanskrit and means “science of life.”  It is grounded in the belief that everything is connected and thus, our health relies on maintaining balance and harmony within ourselves and with the world around us.  When we experience some sort of imbalance in our experience of life, Ayurveda guides us to try lifestyle changes and natural remedy options to support that balance and harmony.

Ayurveda also has routine seasonal suggestions for all of us to align with the energy of each season.  Summer is “Pitta” season in the northern hemisphere, where Pitta and its qualities of hot, sharp, dry, and intense, increases in nature and within us.  If we don’t pay attention and these qualities build up within us, we experience an imbalance and create an environment for disease.  So Ayurveda guides us to look at these qualities and use the exact opposite qualities to support balance.

Below are some intention-setting ideas from this traditional practice for you to consider exploring for yourself to balance the natural increase in Pitta and find a healthy seasonal rhythm during the summer months:

  1. What to eat?.   In the summer, our digestive and metabolic fire (or agni) becomes weaker to balance the heat outside.  During these months, the body is not as able to process heavy foods like dairy, red meat or fried foods. Perhaps avoiding these foods (or eating them in moderation) and substituting them with light or cooling foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, like salad greens, cucumbers, squash, berries and melons.  It’s best to cut down on eating too many sour, salty and spicy foods at this time of year as well, so consider going easy on the vinegar and eating salty crisps and hot curries.
  2. When to eat?.  Your digestive and metabolic fire tends to be greatest in the middle of the day.  Therefore, consider eating your heavier meal at midday and go light for dinner.
  3. What to drink?.  Since your metabolic agni is already low, Ayurveda recommends that iced beverages be avoided as they will reduce your body’s agni even more.  Dehydrating substances such as caffeinated drinks and alcohol will also reduce your already lower agni.  Instead, drinking plenty of water, coconut water and herbal teas is suggested to stay hydrated.  The occasional juice of lemon or lime with a pinch of salt (and a touch of honey or jaggery) is a good recipe to replenish the salts the body loses when sweating.  Consider stocking up on your favorite herbal tea (such as chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus or dandelion) and begin to integrate them into your daily routine now.
  4. What movement to do?.  According to the wisdom of Ayurveda, intense exercise is contraindicated in the summer months, so we are encouraged to slow our flow.  Perhaps try some gentle yoga to luxuriate in the deep openings it creates.  Other options to consider trying might include a Yin or Restorative yoga class, especially to balance a summer routine that might include biking and running.
  5. Need for stillness?.  Excess pitta can contribute to negative psychological feelings which challenge our mental and emotional well-being.  In fact, research has shown that the stress hormone Cortisol spikes as temperatures rise. According to age-old Ayurvedic wisdom, feelings of agitation, irritation, impatience, aggression and anger become more prevalent as the heat increases, so it is important to find spaces to “stay cool” inside as the heat rises around us.  Some options for your consideration include scheduling 10 minutes of meditation before you go about your day and approach your activities and challenges mindfully.  As our exposure to the sun increases in the summer months, another option perhaps to try is balancing that by increasing your exposure to the moon.  Consider spending time outdoors on nights when the moon is full or close to full to simply sit and gaze at the moon.

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Honor Mental Health

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Mental Health Awareness Month

We have been taught to smile through pain and to simply say “Fine” or “Good” when someone asks us how we are doing.  It has been modeled to us to wear masks and not show anyone what we are truly feeling.  Well, it’s okay to not be okay!  And you are not alone.  According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults live with mental health challenges and 1 in 6 children and adolescents experience a mental health condition each year.

Below are some intention-setting ideas for cultivating compassion and understanding to support mental health and for reducing stigma when our mental health is challenged:

  1. Share resources.   Only half of the people experiencing mental health challenges receive the support that is needed.  Consider visiting NAMI’s website to become more familiar with their signature programs and share the resources with others.
  2. Social media.  Perhaps participate in NAMI’s social media challenge to share how and why you are taking mental health moments, demonstrating that you are making your own mental health a priority.  NAMI requests that we use the hashtag #TakeAMentalHealthMoment in your posts.
  3. Attend an event.  Consider taking a more ‘active’ step by participating in NAMI’s award-winning NAMIWalks program.  With a goal of Mental Health for All, this is the largest mental health event in the country, taking place in more than 150 locations.
  4. Take the pledge.  Perhaps take the pledge to be stigma free.  Join me by visiting NAMI here to do so!
  5. Watch and learn.  Below are some movies or series to consider watching to learn more and exercise our heart’s compassion muscle:
    • Paper Spiders
    • Many Sides of Jane
    • Touched with Fire
    • Home
    • Please Like Me
    • Silver Linings Playbook
    • That Which I Love Destroys Me

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Celebrate Diversity

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Celebrate Diversity Month!

Celebrate Diversity Month takes place each April. It was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us. It is a time to recognize and understand our differences, be it gender, race, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation and other factors while honoring the common essence of humanity. By appreciating our similarities and differences, the month aims to encourage a deeper understanding of others, regardless of who they are or how they live. It’s also an opportunity to increase diversity in the workplace and various academic fields. Diversity Month pushes us to seek this knowledge so that we can build a tolerant world that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from. — Source: National Today.

Below are some intention-setting ideas for celebrating human diversity:

  1. Movie night.   Consider hosting a cultural movie night with friends and plan to spend some time afterwards discussing the impact it might have had on each of you.  Perhaps consider one of the following documentaries from last year:
    • Four Daughters
    • Beyond Utopia
    • 20 Days in Mariupol
    • Bobi Wine: The People’s President
  2. Cultural art.  Perhaps you explore a cultural art exhibit, either in-person or online, such as the Heritage Museum of Orange County or museums around the world.
  3. Food.  If you are foodie (and who isn’t these days!), consider exploring a local ethnic restaurant or market to sample food from a different culture.
  4. Music.  Music is a cultural universal form of art.  Although highly diverse in the structure and role, music is a common human experience.  Perhaps listen to music from around the world as it can provide an insight into another way of life.
  5. Shop.  Consider shopping with the intention to support a diverse business, especially one that might have been impacted by the pandemic.  Below are some options to explore in Southern California:

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Support Building Trust

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If you have difficulty trusting others, you are not alone.  And, it might have more to do with a struggle to trust yourself.

Take a moment and think about why you trust someone else.  Did it happen over night?  Did it happen in response to one interaction?  Do you have faith in their abilities?  Do you feel that they care about you?  Do you feel they were being authentic with you?

Trust can be risky!  Trust is required for a healthy relationship and before we can have a healthy relationship with another, we must work on having a healthy relationship with ourselves.  If I were to ask you to remember a time when someone broke your trust, I imagine that most of us can quickly remember a time.  But if I were to ask you to remember a time when you broke your own trust, would it be so easy to recall?

According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, trust has three core drivers:  authenticity, logic and empathy.  Therefore, trusting ourselves requires us to connect to our authentic selves, have compassion for ourselves, and align our choices with what we know to be true for ourselves.  Unfortunately, many of us struggle in this space due to the fear of being judged by others (AKA the need for approval by others) and/or the fear of disappointing others.

If you find yourself caught in this common human struggle, below are some intention-setting ideas for building trust in yourself:

  1. Accept yourself.   It is mission critical to accept all parts of ourselves, fully and unapologetically!  If you find yourself saying to yourself that there is a part, or parts of you that you hate, consider sitting with these parts and having an open dialogue.  Give those parts a voice, without judgment.  Remember, all parts of us come in service.  They adapted and adjusted to keep you safe.  Perhaps try writing down the messages that these parts continue to repeat so they know you have heard them.  Doing so creates space for you to thank them and to consider releasing them from service as they may be ready to retire!
  2. Lean on your values.  Breaking trust with ourselves is tied to our core values.  For example, if one of our core values is honesty and then we lie, we just dishonored ourselves and broke our trust with ourselves.  Therefore, if you find yourself in a dilemma or need to make a difficult choice, consider turning to your top core values and let them guide you.  Making the decision might be difficult in the moment; however, if it aligns with your core values, you will sense that alignment for much longer.  Perhaps display your top core values prominently in your home as a reminder to you as to what is most important, so they are in your awareness in those more challenging moments.
  3. Identify your strengths.  To build trust in yourself, start with what you know to be your strengths.  Consider making a list of your strengths and then build on them by doing more with them.  The key will be to honor the work, by perhaps journaling at the end of each day to recognize how you demonstrated your strengths that day.  For example, if you identified creativity as one of your strengths, write down all of the ways creativity showed up including any out-of-the-box solutions to mundane daily problems.
  4. Keep promises.  This applies to keeping promising to BOTH yourself and to others!  This requires setting strong and clear boundaries, including saying no, so others grow.  If you can’t (or don’t want to) do something, it is better to say no (even if it makes you very uncomfortable to do so) than to say yes and later break your promise.  Consistency in the outcomes (both when saying yes and saying no) is what builds (over time) a trustworthy relationship.
  5. Practice compassion.  As humans, we will make mistakes or take missteps.  However, one bad decision or broken promise does not make you a bad person.  Failures are vital to our growth and to discovering our core values and strengths.  Therefore, befriending our failures, missteps, and mistakes allows us to learn and expand instead of shrink.  Consider exercising your self compassion muscle (AKA the heart) by listening to a meditation and/or writing down what you would say to a dear friend in this space.  Then, the next time you experience a space of constriction, perhaps offering yourself those same kind words!

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Individual Growth

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Celebrating the Month of Love

When we think about the month of February, it often brings up thoughts of Valentine’s Day.  It is also a month to honor American Heart Month and Black History Month.  And this year happens to be a leap year as well!

I believe what ties all of these occasions together is an opportunity for individual (mental, physical, emotional) growth.  When world challenges loom so large, we might feel helpless or even hopeless, which hurts our hearts.  Yet, if we create space to turn inward, to look at what needs tending in our own gardens, whether our physical health or weeding out old beliefs that are choking our ability to flourish, then we can find some peace in knowing that our individual growth will contribute to the evolution of the collective consciousness of the world.

Below are some intention-setting ideas for consideration to support your journey inward this month:

  1. Be kind.   A good starting point for individual growth is to be more kind towards yourself.  Consider ways (i.e., thoughts, actions) that you might offer yourself kindness this month.  Perhaps write them down and put them in a place that you can see your list each day, maybe by your bathroom mirror or stuck to your computer screen.  Remember, the universe gets confused by the word “No” and all other forms of it (i.e., not, can’t, won’t, isn’t).  So when constructing your Be Kind list, make sure the statements are framed in a positive format.  For example, saying “I won’t criticize myself.” is interpreted by the universe as “I criticize myself.”  A possible reframe might be “I offer myself compassion more when I make mistakes.”
  2. What matters most.  If we know what matters most to us, it becomes the rudder in the storms of life.  Consider taking some time this month (maybe under the new moon on 2/9 or to celebrate the Year of the Dragon on 2/10) to sit and write down what matters most to you.  Perhaps expand on the items you might identify with the “Why” it is important to you.  If you might want a starting point to support this effort, a list of values (from Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead) can be found here.
  3. Make a difference.  Once you have a better sense of what is important to you, let it guide you towards spaces that support focusing your energy in making a difference, whether to others or the planet.  Those spaces can be any size, not just large spaces.  Remember, if we all focus on our individual growth, trust that the collective growth will be HUGE.  So consider taking small steps and know it is enough, you are enough!
  4. Express gratitude.  Taking time to identify those people, places, actions and things that you appreciate creates space for joy to present and grow.  Reflecting on those moments of gratitude allows you to savor the experiences.  Exercising your gratitude muscles on a regular basis begins to tilt the natural tendency of the brain away from the negative and towards the positive, so we are better equipped to deal with adversity when it arises.  Consider options of starting a gratitude journal or identifying 3 things each evening before going to bed that you are grateful for.  If you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble going back to sleep because the mind gets active, perhaps try and give it a bone by focusing on the three things you were grateful for from your day.
  5. Celebrate.  If you do try any of the above, it is important to take time to notice your progress and change and celebrate it!  Consider visualizing how you felt in the past when you took a positive step forward on your individual growth journey, no matter how small it might have seemed at the time.  Maybe it was finishing that book you had been reading for awhile or it was after you spent the day volunteering at an organization you align with.  Can you now visualize how you might congratulate yourself for taking that step forward?  Celebrate you everyday, not just on your birthday!

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Sharpen the Skills of Connection

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Happy New Year!

Almost a decade ago, when I was contemplating what to name my business, I knew that I wanted the word “connection” in it because of my personal transformation from connecting with my authentic self and then connecting with others.  Making connections, and maintaining the health of those connections, continues to be at the top of my new year intention list.

Neuroscience has shown that humans are wired for connection.  It is a basic human need that is necessary to thrive.  However, that doesn’t mean all of us experienced healthy role models on how to stay connected to our authentic self and/or initiate, foster and deepen connections with others.  For those of us that might think we are not good at connecting, not all is lost.  Connecting includes skills that can be learned, practiced, and refined over time.  It is definitely worth your time and effort!

Below are some intention-setting ideas for exploring and enhancing the skills that support connection:

  1. Be present.   Setting aside time to be with others is important.  Research has shown connecting with others promotes health and happiness.  Yet it is not just the time we spend together.  It is the gift of your presence that makes the difference.  To be present requires us to pay attention.  This means we need to eliminate as many distractions (AKA smart phones) as possible, let go of the myth that humans can multitask, and dial down our own internal dialogue maker that is trying to identify a follow up response before the person has finishing speaking.  Yes, conversations are a two-way exchange and yet, perhaps try to notice beyond the person’s words for an underlying purpose or meaning for sharing.  From there, consider simply expressing appreciation to the person for sharing with you.  Then, watch their response!
  2. Listen deeply.  This skill is tied very closely with being present, so bundling them together will make practice that much easier.  To listen deeply to another, consider making eye contact with them, checking in with your body language to ensure it is open (i.e. avoid crossing your arms and legs as this is a more defensive posture), focusing on what the other person is saying with the intent to ask questions that are relevant or appropriate to what has been shared.  By doing so, the other person will feel seen and heard and will prevent the “Oh, I had a similar experience” reaction from taking over the conversation.  Contrary to popular belief, sharing your similar story does not necessarily make others feel seen and heard and, instead, can leave people feeling like you are in a competition for the best story (leading to less connection).
  3. Modulate your tone of voice.  This skill is a bit more nuanced.  It requires us to utilize variations in our pitch, pace, volume and inflection of our voice when speaking.  Sometimes the conversation will call us to match the tone of voice of the person we are speaking with, such as when they are expressing excitement about something, and other times it will require us to soften our tone, especially if the emotion being conveyed might be fear, anger, or sadness.  I have found that the more present I am in the conversation and the more deeply I am listening, my voice tends to modulate more naturally, as if it knows what tone is most needed in the moment for connection.  Consider trying to match the tone of someone that is sharing something they found exciting to them to start practicing this skill.  The more skilled you get with these subtle shifts in tone, the more you will notice your enhanced ability to connect with others in diverse situations.
  4. Apologize for mistakes.  Being human means you will make mistakes.  Making mistakes is how we learn as humans.  And sometimes our mistakes impact other people.  Unfortunately, when they do, most of us have not been taught how to own up to the impact and apologize for any harm it may have caused to the other person.  Offering a meaningful apology is part of the formula for healthy and connected relationships.  Apologies start with “I’m sorry.”  Apologies that contain words such as “but” or “if” or “may” imply that the apology is conditional and does not reflect ownership to the mistake, increasing the likelihood of further disconnection.  Healthy apologies that deepen connections are ones that are specific and sincere, reflecting ownership to the mistake and the impact it had on the other person, while sitting with the discomfort that the other person may not accept your apology.  I know this intention might be a difficult one for many of us to implement.  Perhaps the next time you sense the need to apologize to someone, consider writing it down first to ensure it conveys unconditional ownership to the mistake and it specifically addresses the impact the mistake had on the other person.
  5. Share.  Deep connections with others require a willingness to reveal ourselves through sharing both our struggles and our joys.  Yes, I mean we must embrace our vulnerability and begin to see it as our superpower.  Sharing our vulnerabilities, including our fears and insecurities, allows others to experience us as fully alive humans moving through a complex world.  This type of sharing opens the door to genuine and meaningful conversations by creating space for others to feel safe to do the same.  Sharing vulnerable parts of ourselves builds trust, which, over time, deepens our relationships.  If you choose to dip your toe into the pool of vulnerability, consider first to whom you might want to practice this skill with and second, what it is you might want to reveal about yourself.  Take it slow and my suggestion would be to not dive into the deep end too quickly!

 

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Awaken Your Soul

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Spiritual Literacy Month

Spirituality is not religion yet it does means something different for everyone.  For some it might refer to the journey of self-discovery and for others it might be a sense of connectedness to themselves, others and the world around them.  It might mean the process of identifying our purpose in this world or finding meaning in our lives.  It might be in relationship to a higher vibrational energy, whether embodied in a formalized religion or in nature.

Research is starting to show that whatever spirituality might mean to you, it can improve your overall health and wellbeing.  So becoming more spiritually literate can be at the least an educative experience (i.e., expanding the mind and heart) and perhaps even transformative, by deepening your faith (i.e., good for the soul).  By learning about different spiritual perspectives, it supports a deeper understanding of others, creating space to invite in more acceptance and peace.

Therefore, to support your health and wellbeing and the expansion of the collective consciousness of the world during this holiday season, below are some ideas to celebrate Spiritual Literacy Month:

  1. Read.   Consider picking up a spiritual book in order to expand your mind.  Invite your curiosity forward to be fully present when reading it.  I recently read Home at the Tree of Life by Dr. Elena Gabor and found it quite interesting, if not somewhat comforting.
  2. Visit.  Perhaps plan a visit to participate in a spiritual gathering.  Maybe you have a friend that has a particular spiritual orientation which has peaked your interest in the past.  Consider reaching out and asking if there are any particular spiritual gatherings coming up this month that you might join them at to explore.
  3. Watch.  Sometimes movies can touch our hearts and expand our minds.  If this resonates with you, consider scheduling some time to watch an inspirational (AKA spiritual?) movie.  I’ve listed some recent ones below from different genres to start your list:
    • Dog
    • Elvis
    • Hallelujah:  Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song
    • Women Talking
    • After Death
  4. Contemplate.  To quite your mind a little during this very busy time of year, perhaps try a contemplative practice to bring your mind more present in the moment.  It might simply be to sit for a minute and watch your breath moving in an out of your body.  Or it might be to stop what you are doing for a few moments to fully feel your feet on the ground.  Or perhaps it is a silent hike on your favorite hiking trail to connect more fully with Mother nature.  To maximize the benefit of your contemplative practice, consider having a journal nearby to write any intentions for the new year that might arise from your heart after the practice!
  5. Retreat.  If resources allow, consider a more immersive experience by going on a spiritual retreat.  Such retreats are offered locally as well as in far-away lands.  Some can be a couple of hours and others can be for a week or more.  The opportunity to more deeply connect with others while remaining in a space of acceptance and curiosity can be truly life changing!